JEDDAH, 11 May — The imam of the grand mosque in Makkah yesterday blasted the anti-Islam smear campaign in the Western media and stressed that Islam is a religion which follows a moderate path. He also criticized the Western media for closing eyes on the crimes perpetrated by the Zionists against the Palestinian people.
“It’s ironic that they label the extremists who kill and terrorize Muslims men of peace, and the oppressed who seek their legitimate rights by resisting the unlawful occupation of their land terrorists and extremists,” said Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, addressing hundreds of thousands of believers who thronged the Grand Mosque for the Friday congregation.
“Moderation and restraint are the outstanding attributes of Islam,” the imam said in his sermon, calling upon Muslims to shun the path of violence and extremism. “Islamic teachings are moderate in all aspects, be they related to social, economic and political matters. This makes Islam relevant at all places and times,” Sheikh Sudais said, quoting well-known authorities on Islam.
“In a world threatened by a clash of civilizations, the only hope, after God, is in this Muslim nation which follows the moderate and balanced teachings of Islam,” the imam said, blasting those Muslim individuals who have deviated from the mainstream of Islam.
Sheikh Hussein Al-Sheikh, imam and khateeb of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, said the Ummah had become weak as a result of division and differences among the Muslim countries.
“It is high time for Muslim governments and peoples to find viable solutions for their problems,” the imam said. “Only through correct understanding of the Qur’an and the Sunnah, they can find lasting solutions to their problems.”
Following Israel’s all-out military offensive against the Palestinians on March 29, the Makkah imam said in one of his Friday sermons: “Muslims should achieve unity on the basis of the Islamic faith and religion. Islam is the greatest unifying force.”
“The Palestinian cause is a test for Muslims’ strength and their zeal to defend the religion, countries and their sacred places,” he said.
Sheikh Hussein called upon Muslims to abide by the teachings of Islam, follow the path of development and make necessary preparations to confront the enemies of Islam. He condemned the Israeli terror against unarmed Palestinians and urged the international community to stop the aggression and restore to Palestinians their legitimate rights.
Sheikh Hussein called upon Muslims all over the world to stand by the Palestinians and provide all possible support to them.
